What does INRI mean, and the way does it apply to modern Christians? The meaning and application are each tied to a plan God formed in eternity to redeem His people through a messiah who would save His people. The Pharisees and Sadducees sought an earthly king who would make them victory over their enemies. Jesus didn’t look anything like what they were expecting, in order that they dismissed him as a blasphemer and had him crucified. They didn’t realize that God had far greater plans than simply an earthly kingdom that may conquer worldly enemies. Instead, He sent His Only Son to defeat sin and death and open an everlasting kingdom to all who would come.
What Does the Acronym INRI Mean?
INRI is an acronym for the Latin phrase Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum, which is translated as “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews.” Pilate ordered for this to be placed on an indication and placed over his head during his crucifixion. In Roman times, anyone executed had an indication giving the crime for which they were punished. It was meant to provide public notice and add greater shame to those executed. While the sign “King of the Jews” and the crown of thorns were meant to mock Jesus, God used them as a substitute to proclaim Jesus as King.
Why Is the Message INRI Written in Latin?
During Jesus’ time, the Jews spoke Hebrew and Aramaic, however the common language of the region was Koine Greek for the reason that conquest of Alexander the Great.
After Alexander died, Rome conquered Greece and the Roman Empire spread until it held all the Mediterranean. The language of Rome and its leaders was Latin. Pontius Pilate was a Roman prefect (or governor), so the accusation against Jesus was written in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew so all could read it (John 19:20).
Why Did the Religious Leaders Object to Pilate Writing INRI on the Cross?
According to Jesus is the King of the Jews, the title King of the Jews had political and prophetic implications. In the Old Testament, God desired to rule over Israel, but they begged for a human king:
“Then all of the elders of Israel gathered together and got here to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, ‘Look, you might be old, and your sons don’t walk in your ways. Now make us a king to evaluate us like all of the nations.’” (1 Samuel 8:4-5).
God gave them what they wanted, but He also proclaimed the approaching of the Messiah who would rule eternally:
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the federal government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the rise of His government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that point forward, even eternally. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Greg Laurie summarizes Pontius Pilate in this manner:
(The following is a transcript of the video above, edited for clarity).
“Pilate was a strong man. He was also a tough man. A person who didn’t wish to be trifled with. He was also a person in hot water since you see, he had had plenty of run-ins, in accordance with history, with the religious Jewish leaders at this point. And he didn’t need one other conflict. And it was clear to him that they wanted the execution of Jesus. And though he effectively gave them permission to do it themselves, go and handle him in accordance with your law, which was Pilate’s way of claiming, ‘If you guys wish to go stone him, I could care less. Just take this away from me.’ But they said, ‘No, no, you have to take care of this.’ Because they wanted not only a death but a Roman death. They wanted crucifixion. Pilate was on the lookout for a way out of this. He tried to supply Barabbas within the place of Jesus, and he hoped if he would give them a selection of who to release due to his Passover, that individuals would pick Jesus over Barabbas, a horrible criminal.
But as a substitute, the people cry for Jesus. So, in a single last ditch effort to appease the bloodthirsty crowds, Pilate has Jesus scoured. And as you already know, that was not only a standard whip, however it was the Roman cat-of-nine tails. Usually, a base made out of wood, multiple strands of leather embedded with pieces of metal and glass. And each time the lash of this whip would come on the back of the prisoner, it will rip into the skin, taking off the skin, opening up the blood vessels, even exposing vital organs. Many men didn’t survive. Discouraging. Jesus takes the complete 39 lashes, after which Pilate parades him out before the group, on the lookout for mercy. ‘Behold the person,’ he says, till they cry, ‘Crucify him.’ So he gives the command for Jesus to be taken away.”
Pilate was in much more hot water than what Laurie describes. Not only had he clashed with the religious leaders up to now, but he had an embarrassing political past: he had received his position from Sejanus, a Roman who had killed Emperor Tiberius’ son and conspired to kill the emperor himself. (for more on that, read Hope Bolinger’s article on Pilate).
Pilate couldn’t find any crime to accuse Jesus of, but he sent Jesus to be crucified anyway to placate the crowds and non secular leaders.
However, he had the sign hung above the cross. The religious leaders were offended because they said it should read that Jesus said he was King of the Jews, but Pilate wouldn’t change it. The religious leaders wanted it to say Jesus was a blasphemer, but Pilate wrote it in a way that made it look like a title (John 19:21).
What Does INRI’s Meaning Teach Us about Jesus?
So, what does INRI need to do with the fashionable Christian who’s a gentile? How does King of the Jews apply to us? God’s plan for all humanity began in eternity. If you take a look at the entire Bible, you may see that the Old Testament (covenant) foreshadows the New Testament (covenant) that brought salvation to the entire world. So, let’s take a better take a look at the covenants, starting with the Old Testament and God’s covenant with Abraham.
In her article on the Abrahamic Covenant, Debbie Wilson explains the character of a covenant, specifically the one between Abraham and God:
“And I’ll establish My covenant between Me and also you and your descendants after you of their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you” (Genesis 17:7).
Notice the phrase “everlasting covenant”? It foreshadowed the New Covenant (or Testament) that Jesus would establish. He would seek advice from this covenant on the Last Supper:
“Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, they usually all drank from it. And He said to them, ‘This is My blood of the brand new covenant, which is shed for a lot of’” (Mark 14:23-24).
The purpose of the (old and recent) covenants was to ascertain a relationship between God and man by making a solution to redeem man from sin. Paul explains in Romans 4 the connection between God’s covenant with Abraham and us:
“For the promise that he can be the heir of the world was to not Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of religion . . . Therefore it’s of religion that it is perhaps in accordance with grace, in order that the promise might make sure to all of the seed, not only to those that are of the law, but in addition to those that are of the religion of Abraham, who’s the daddy of us all.” (Romans 4:13, 16)
The promise and the covenant can be found to all because we’re saved through faith, not works.
The role of Jesus also extends beyond that of the Messiah or savior. INRI is the title for the King of the Jews, which implies Jesus was given the title of King in addition to of the Messiah. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were ruled by prophets, priests, and kings. Different people carried out each role. Revelation tells us that Jesus is all three in a single: “. . . from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5). He isn’t just King of the Jews; He is ruler over all of the kings of the earth. This makes Him our king, too. Jesus is prophet, priest, and king to all who follow Him. (For further reading concerning the three roles of Jesus, take a look at this text by Danielle Bernock.)
From the start of time, God put into motion a plan that may bring salvation to all of the earth. INRI was one a part of a much greater plan than anyone on the time could comprehend. The Messiah has come and opened the way in which of redemption and salvation for whosoever will come. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords for all eternity.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Jako van Gorsel
Linda Lyle is a author, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, in addition to multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is ready to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
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What is Maundy Thursday?
What is Good Friday? and When is Good Friday?
What is Holy Saturday?
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Christ’s resurrection is incredibly powerful. Through Jesus’ resurrection, we’re taught many powerful lessons. While truly, one could write a whole book on lessons from Christ’s resurrection, today we are going to discuss 4 of probably the most powerful lessons from Jesus’ resurrection. If you desire to learn more concerning the resurrection and its power, this text is for you: 4 Powerful Lessons from Christ’s Resurrection
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